Everyone uses a bulb, whether it is a light bulb, LED, or CFL. They are an essential part of our household and we cannot spend a day without using a light bulb.
Although the power of a light bulb may not be as much as some of the other major electric appliances, they are still perhaps the most crucial part of the electricity system.
Many people often doubt which light bulb to choose and whether it is an efficient method of saving electricity.
In this article, we would discuss an important element of a 40-watt light bulb, regarding the amount of energy it uses. Let us first try to understand how a light bulb works.
How Does a Light Bulb Work?
In simple words, a light bulb works with the help of the conversion of electricity, which is the flow of current in its terminals into light.
The light is often produced because of a heating effect, which makes the shiny surface illuminate and glow, thus leading to a bright emission of light.
The heating effect takes place in the filament of a light bulb, which is a tiny component that runs the entire bulb.
Most often, a light bulb also has gases like nitrogen or in some cases argon, which is necessary for safety purposes.
Therefore, in a light bulb, the production of heat and light both take place simultaneously, thus it might not be a good idea to touch a light bulb while it is on.
How Many Watts are there in 1 Hour?
Many people wonder how many watts are there in an hour and use it to calculate the estimated amount of energy utilized by their electric appliances like bulbs or fans.
But you need to understand that watts are nothing but a way of measuring power. It only represents the amount of energy used and not the time taken.
The unit of measurement for time is an hour, while for energy in an electric appliance is the watt. To find the amount of energy consumed, you first need to know the watts of your electric appliance.
What is 40 Watts Equal to?
In case you are wondering about 40 watts and how much would it mean in terms of power; you must first understand the concept of watts.
A watt is a standard unit that is used to measure electricity or electrical power. In simple words, 1 watt would mean one joule of energy per second.
An equivalent or same level of energy is utilized by the device, and 40 watts means that the device is using the energy equivalent to 40 watts in an hour.
Although 40 watts is generally considered to be a meagre amount of energy or power, it can nevertheless be enough for a smaller area or house.
Let us see further how much energy a 40-watt light bulb use after all.
How Much Energy Does a 40-Watt Light Bulb Use?
The simple reference of 40 watts in the light bulb is that the bulb utilizes 40 watts of energy or power every hour that it has been kept on.
The symbol denoting watts used per hour is “Wh.” In case you want to figure out the amount of energy that is consumed by the bulb, all you need to do is to multiply 40, which is the power of the bulb with the number of hours it has been on.
Thus, for instance, if your light bulb has been kept on for 8 hours, the total energy consumed would be 40 x 8, which is 32 hours in total.
Although this is a rough method of calculating the energy used by a light bulb, the more appropriate method would be to take into account the voltage and the category of the bulb.
How to Save Electricity with a Light Bulb?
Although there are numerous ways of saving electricity, when you are using a light bulb, you need to ensure that you follow some crucial recommendations.
For instance, you must switch off the light bulb when it is not in use, and not leave it on for a long period, especially when not in use.
It is ideal to switch to a light that is relatively dimmer and allows you to consume natural light for most of the day.
In this recommendation, it is also crucial that you look for accommodation or build a home in a manner that you can avail natural light as much as possible.
In case you want to simply work a while on your desk, it is much better to switch to a lamp or a focused lighting system, that allows you to focus on your task and saves energy.
Should You Switch from a Light Bulb to an LED?
Light bulbs have been prevalent for a few decades in the last century. Even in the 21st century, people in many regions use light bulbs for their easier availability and low price.
However, it might be a smart choice to switch to LED bulbs since they are proven to be better for the environment, and use lesser energy as compared to light bulbs.
You might notice that the amount of energy used by the LED bulb is somewhat less than the light bulb but the light produced is either equal or better.
Another major reason to consider making the switch is because of the absence of mercury in LED bulbs. Since light bulbs have mercury, they possess a greater threat to people nearby as they can blow off anytime and injure someone.
Conclusion
Thus, in this article, you learned about how a light bulb works and how you can save electricity while using a light bulb.
Most importantly, we learned the amount of energy that a 40-watt light bulb uses and consumes, and how you can calculate the same for any amount of time.
Furthermore, as recommended above, it is a better idea to switch to LED lights as they help you save more electricity and are also safer to use.
